These are the remains of a WWII, Coastal Defence Site.
Hidden in West wood forest, this is close to Western shore and the Solent.
The remains of the 5th AA (Anti-Aircraft) Division, 35 AA Brigade, Royal Artillery Camp.
The camp is evidenced by brick and concrete bases, bomb shelters and drains.
Most of which would have been Nissen huts and pre fabricated buildings.
The camp housed the officers, men and women who manned the camp and adjacent Z Battery.
I could find no trace of the Z battery, which was positioned to the high ground to the north of the woods.
The twin rocket projector were laid out in groups of 64, in what is known as a Z Battery, or Ups, must have been quite impressive.
In order to relieve the AA gunners for active duty, part time members were trained in AA duties and in 1942 were to take over completely the operation of many gun-sites and rocket batteries
The UP rockets had been developed before the war, the 3-inch solid fuelled rocket approximating the 3.7-inch AA shell Whilst requiring fewer less skilled men for their operation, the weapon was highly inaccurate. Never the less, the batteries ‘scattergun style’ was an impressive sight for both friend and foe.
The launchers fired salvoes of 128 rockets at a time. Accelerating to 1000 mph in 1.5 seconds, before exploding simultaneously in a single stupendous roar.
The noise has been described as an awesome experience, ‘rather like an express train passing through the living room, before crashing in the back garden’.
There were a lot of camps and positions along the Southampton coast line, British, American and Canadian, some of which i've found, others I will look for later,
Unfortunatley the majority of the picture's arn't very interesting, although the history is.
Hidden in West wood forest, this is close to Western shore and the Solent.
The remains of the 5th AA (Anti-Aircraft) Division, 35 AA Brigade, Royal Artillery Camp.
The camp is evidenced by brick and concrete bases, bomb shelters and drains.
Most of which would have been Nissen huts and pre fabricated buildings.
The camp housed the officers, men and women who manned the camp and adjacent Z Battery.
I could find no trace of the Z battery, which was positioned to the high ground to the north of the woods.
The twin rocket projector were laid out in groups of 64, in what is known as a Z Battery, or Ups, must have been quite impressive.
In order to relieve the AA gunners for active duty, part time members were trained in AA duties and in 1942 were to take over completely the operation of many gun-sites and rocket batteries
The UP rockets had been developed before the war, the 3-inch solid fuelled rocket approximating the 3.7-inch AA shell Whilst requiring fewer less skilled men for their operation, the weapon was highly inaccurate. Never the less, the batteries ‘scattergun style’ was an impressive sight for both friend and foe.
The launchers fired salvoes of 128 rockets at a time. Accelerating to 1000 mph in 1.5 seconds, before exploding simultaneously in a single stupendous roar.
The noise has been described as an awesome experience, ‘rather like an express train passing through the living room, before crashing in the back garden’.
There were a lot of camps and positions along the Southampton coast line, British, American and Canadian, some of which i've found, others I will look for later,
Unfortunatley the majority of the picture's arn't very interesting, although the history is.
